{ StevenHaddox.com }

I have had several political conversations the last week that have really had me asking a lot of questions:

• Why are all politicians liars in some form or another?
• Why is it impossible to be involved in politics without being a hypocrite?
• Why is it okay for the government to be hypocritical but not for its citizens?
• Why won’t people just vote for the candidate that most similar to them so that we can get rid of this stupid bicameral system?
• Why are people so uninvolved?  Why do we wait until something effects our daily lives to care about it?
• Why is everyone so greedy, selfish, or inconsiderate?

However, amidst all these questions the only truly important one I find is:

Why is it so hard for people to peacefully coexist?

It seems that when you enter the realm of politics you start talking about a sensitive matter to almost everybody in some way or another.  This is because the vast majority of our population has not learned to separate their emotions from their beliefs and logic.  It is an understandable situation and an understandable reaction when a discussion touches a “button” that is important to someone else.  However, what I don’t understand is why almost everybody insists upon keeping their emotions so strongly attached to their political beliefs and agendas.  Everyone seems to want world-peace and lower taxes but nobody is willing to really look at what is involved to achieve that.

There are a couple of issues in Arizona that are pretty important this year, but I honestly don’t know enough about them so I’m not really going to comment on them specifically at this point in time.  I do however want to vent a little about an issue that has irritated me pretty much since at least high school.

Why is it so okay to be hypocritical in this country?  We expect our politicians to be honest and vote by their platforms and values, but we don’t do the same ourselves as citizens.  The biggest example that has come to mind to me over the past few years is that of “gay rights” or more specifically homosexual marriage.

One of the major reasons citizens moved to the colonies of America was to seek refuge for new ideas, especially in relation to religion.  And one of the things almost everyone who is a somewhat respectable person will say is that we should honor others, respect others, and be considerate of others.  This seems like pretty sound advice that generally will cause a more peaceful society with more understanding, compassion, and consideration towards things that aren’t completely the same as another individual’s view.  However, as soon as someone mentions “homosexual” or “gay” with the same words as “rights” or “marriage” these formalities are discarded and it is suddenly okay to be as critical of someone else’s choices as we want.

Here’s the part that irks me.  If a woman thinks that women are superior to men in intelligence, performance, or anything else they are labeled a “feminist.”  If a man thinks women are meant only to be seen and used they are considered “sexist.”  If a member of the KKK expresses their hatred towards someone who is black they are labeled “racist.”  If an African American says that a white individual is a “cracker” they are generally also labeled a racist.  If someone who believes in Christ talks badly of another Christian or an aetheist it is generally considered rude and inconsiderate.  If an aetheist tries to prod a Christian then it is also generally considered rude and inconsistent.  When someone cuts somebody else off while driving it is considered rude and inconsiderate.  If one politician says something negative about another one that really has nothing to do with facts it is considered “mud-slinging.”  If religion is taught in school it is considered a violation of the Constitution.  If evolution is taught in school it is labeled as biased by the majority of church-goers. The list goes on, I am merely naming the first things that come to mind.

The point is, that the majority of time in our society it is considered rude not to be thoughtful of others or to respect their opinion, even if it is not the same as our own personal opinion.  Whether you are a loose-skirted lady of the night, a member of the KKK, or a Bible-thumping Christian it is almost always considered respectful to try not to judge others who believe differently than you.  You may explain your thoughts, beliefs, and views to them as much as you like as long as it is respectful and people generally won’t disagree.  But if you say something obviously rude or offensive it is almost always understood that you have gone too far and looked down upon.

So why is it okay then, that when an issue is put on the ballot or discussed regarding the rights of somewhere around 6% of the population, to just disregard courtesy, undersatnding, compassion, and acceptance?  It seems that we are quick to forget that it was only a little over 200 years ago that America was fighting for the right to practice its own beliefs and governance.  That it wasn’t that long ago that we were the 6% of the population that nobody else agreed with.  It was even less time since then that African Americans had to be given the right to be considered full-individuals.  That they were freed and entitled to the right to voice their opinion.  Even less time since then since women were allowed to vote, and even more importantly be respected as fully capable members of society outside of the household.  Why is it then, that we are so easily able to forget about the history we have all come from when it comes to 6% of our population wanting to express their love to another member of 3% of that population?  Why is it okay for women and men of any race to say that it is “wrong” to see them get married and to think that their personal prejudice makes for good political law?

You may deem me a “gay-lover” or an idiot depending upon your personal opinion.  But the more important question to me is this: Why is it so hard to peacefully coexist?  Why can’t everyone see that it shouldn’t matter what race you are, what sex you are, what way you wear your hair, what clothes you wear, how many piercings you have, who you want to express your love to, or what it is that you do for a living.  We are all PEOPLE occupying the same geographic location and living in the same society.  This can extend beyond Americans as well, but in particular we as Americans, who are supposed to be considered the melting pot and accepting of others, are often the first to throw attacks out at people who do not believe or feel the way that we do.  We are some of the biggest hypocrites I have ever come across and it irritates me that everyone thinks it is okay.  It is NOT OKAY.

I don’t care how you feel personally.  If you want to be a racist then be my guest.  Go out in the streets and express it verbally all you want.  If you want to talk crap about anyone of any sex, religion, or sexual orientation have at that as well.  However, don’t expect that when you deny other people their rights to practicing what they believe when it doesn’t cause any harm to you that you should be entitled to those same rights.  We all have the right to free speech and I strongly believe in using that right.  However, when it comes to casting our votes we should step back from our personal opinions and look at what is the best vote for the rights of everyone involved, not our personal agenda.  If we don’t respect the rights of others then we will eventually have our own rights taken away by someone who doesn’t respect ours (currently the big government who has gotten out of control and only grows more corrupt each week).

I guess what I’m saying is, just try to cast your vote using the same principles we all learned in Kindergarten:

• Don’t be a bully (just because you are part of the majority doesn’t mean it’s fair to take other people’s lunch)
• Don’t tease others
• Don’t touch / harm others
• Don’t disrespect others
• Treat others as you would like to be treated
• Listen
• Be understanding

I think if we all practice these basic principles we will find that our society is a much happier place where people of varying personalities, opinions, and beliefs can all coexist peacefully.  Your thoughts on the matter?

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